Vacation in luxury while still in the jungle
Granite boulders protrude through the back wall and a giant jungle strangler fig grows from the floor. This jungle paradise is not your typical tourist accommodation.
As it turns out, it is one of many best kept secrets in Mexico. The four-story Casa Pericos is built directly onto the mountainside in the tiny village of Yelapa www.yelapacasa.com . It is only a 40-minute boat ride from the bustling Puerto Vallarta yet it seems like a world away.
Owners Blair Shurtleff and Shane Hayward say they have put their heart and soul into this exotic palapa-style dwelling. They are part of a growing group of small business entrepreneurs who are re-energizing Mexico’s tourism industry.
Shurtleff admits to some frustration over what he calls as exaggerated media reports on crime in Mexico, insisting it would be hard to find a safer place than the close knit community of Yelapa.
“Only someone who was born in Yelapa can own land here,” he adds.
After spending many years visiting nearby Puerto Vallarta he discovered this hidden gem and convinced the community to let him lease land and build his “eco barefoot luxury” property. High end linens and finely appointed furnishings make it easy to forget you are in such a rustic locale.
But it is definitely a “no shoes, no shirt, no problem” kind of place. As the boat hits the sandy beach, I realize the lack of a dock means it’s time to kick off the sandals and step in. I nervously watch as my IPad and other electronics are carried overhead through the water. Fortunately, staff make sure everything arrives on land safe and dry.
After a short walk along a rocky path, I make my way to the stunning four level property. There are no windows or walls to obstruct the panoramic view of the ocean. It’s the jungle however, so I keep my shoes on to avoid a variety of interesting bugs and creatures.
As I dive into the warm ocean waters with the stunning backdrop of Casa Pericos and lush landscape, it’s easy to understand why Yelapa has stolen their hearts.
Shurtleff and Hayward are not the only entrepreneurs who believe in Yelapa. In fact, I encounter a trio of strong, confident woman who are also committed to boosting Mexico’s tourism industry.
Susan Pasko could work anywhere – and she has- but chose to start her own restaurant Café Bahia in Yelapa. It’s hard to believe that in this remote Mexican village you can find one of the best Eggs Benedict on the planet yet somehow she manages to pull it off in a modest but impeccably clean kitchen.
Pasko was a New York executive who decided to take a new direction in life and moved to Paris where she trained as a chef and then worked for numerous restaurants in the United States. She discovered Yelapa on her travels and after several years working at restaurants in the village she decided to start her own restaurant.
“This is my home, my life and my heart,” she says.
As the sun sets, a very different scene is taking place on the beach where Tatiana Rodriguez-Anderson – a 26-year-old local Yelapa resident is having a private launch party for her hip restaurant Chicos Yelapa.
There is pulsating music from a DJ and guests are lounging on beds on the beach while servers bring Texas-size margaritas and chilled bottles of sparkling wine.
Less than an hour away in Puerto Vallarta, another ambitious Mexican woman Carmen Porras operates a popular restaurant El Arrayan www.elarrayan.com.mx.
Porras admits that being a female businesswoman in Mexico has its own challenges yet she has not let it deter her. She stresses the menu is not Tex Mex but focuses on authentic Mexican cuisine, dishes called “Intangible Cultural Heritage” as declared by UNESCO. I skipped the crispy cricket tacos but the duck tosadas were delicious.
For an upscale experience and one of the most beautiful views of Puerto Vallarta, the place to be is Vista Grill www.vistagrill.com. Perched on a hill overlooking the bay, it offers a romantic setting and an ideal view for sunsets.
In an effort to draw in tourists, Mexico offers a broad range of tours so it is important to ask questions so you make the right choices. If you choose the Hidden Mexico tour in Puerto Vallarta then make sure you buy bug spray in advance spray liberally.
My favorite tour was the Vallarta Food Tours www.vallartafoodtours.com. No nonsense guide Alex Naba takes you behind the food trucks as well as into the best restaurants in the city.
But even better, he dispels many myths about Mexican food and drink.
“Do not shoot,” he shakes his head.
A group of us are eyeballing the tequila lined up in shot glasses on the table.
“You must sip it and never get drunk on tequila,” he explains. (I could have used this advice when I was 18).
I also learned that burritos aren’t a Mexican food and when making tacos don’t marinate the meat – it’s all about the salsa.
“We invented salsa,” he states.
The tour also includes a chat with the colorful Mr. Concepcion. Donning a bright white hat and outfit, he roams through town selling his Tuba drink, made with the juice of the coconut palm, walnuts, apples, sugar and some “secret” ingredients.
As I discovered, there were many wonderful secrets in Mexico. Well, some are not a secret anymore!
For more information log on to www.visitpuertovallarta.com
Flight, meals and activities provided by Puerto Vallarta. Accommodations provided by Fiesta Americana, Sheraton Vallarta and Casa Pericos.
Where to Stay
The Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta is an oceanfront resort surrounded by the Western Sierra Madre Mountains. While it provides a tranquil environment it is only minutes from the charming old town where there are a host of restaurants and bars. The Nakawe Spa emphasizes the zen-like feel of the property with its lush gardens and trickling waterfalls and offers a variety of spa treatments.
The hotel also offers a special Fiesta Club floor with special amenities and super-sized balconies. The introduction of the all inclusive program has sparked interest from major tourism operators like Sunquest, Air Transat and Air Canada. www.fiestamericana.com
Another popular destination hotel in Puerto Vallarta is the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort. It also offers views of the Pacific Ocean and the Banderas Bay. With 90 feet of beach front, four restaurants and five bars, as well as a fully equipped gym and tennis resorts guests won’t get bored or hungry. www.sheraton.com/Buganvilias